The Nationals face the Dodgers today in the rubber game of their series.

On July 7, the Nationals stormed out to an 8-0 lead against the Cubs, then proceeded to blow it in stunning fashion and lose 10-9. Since that night, they've gone 4-8, falling from two games over .500 to two games under .500.

On the bright side, they've lost seven of those eight games by one run. It's not like they're no match for the competition. If anything, they're making one bad pitch, failing to come through in one key at-bat, on a nightly basis. Basically, it's the exact opposite of what they did during their remarkable hot streak in June.

Today, the Nats will look to reverse the trend and in the process end their road trip on a high note. Jason Marquis makes what could be his final start for this franchise should another team come calling before the trade deadline. He'll face right-hander Chad Billingsley, trying to win the series for the Dodgers.

As you know by now, I'm not in Los Angeles. I'll be back on site Tuesday for the start of the Nationals' upcoming homestand. Until then, please enjoy the conversation as always…

True to your baseball wisdom MarkMeister, you predicted this 1-run reversal,in a past post; the stats always have a way of 'righting' themselves. 1-run victories, just mean that the Nats are not that much better, or worse, than the other team.When the Nats pull away from the pack in the future, the 1-run syndrome will become a miscellaneous stat. Gooooooooooooooooooo Nats!!!!!!

I don't know, but somehow I don't find "You have to hit enough to have an eight-run lead to blow it" very comforting. I doubt they do, either. Zimm's double-clutch non-error, Desmond's one-hopper to first, Ramos's bobble of a good throw on the play at the plate, and all that before Rodriguez couldn't find the plate with google earth. Dods had a lot of help, there.Well, Storen and Clippard and Coffey are all fresh, and Marquis has something left to prove (and a staff RBI lead to protect, IIRC).

The bottom line on Rizzo isWould you rather have this year's team than last year's?Everything else is back seat driving.The bottom line on Rizzo isWould you rather have this year's team than last year's?Everything else is back seat driving.

Anon @ 2:33. You are giving us an ERA based on 1 and half games?really?Wang allows 5 runs 8 hits, a home run, 2 doubles, and a wild pitch that helps score a runner. The good news? Only 1 walk. NO PITCH OVER 90. 96 pitches to get through 5. And you are telling me that isn't enough to make a judgment as to whether he should be in the majors?JD, maybe we should bring back Garret Mock? He didn't get that many innings in the majors or ST for that matter. Now did he?

Wang is far from a sure thing but he will come up because we have to bring him up or release him by some time next week. We can use the rest of this year as an audition and then decide if we want to re sign him for next year. I don't think that there is much to lose here as he is not taking a spot currently occupied by an effective pitcher.

That's exactly what I,m telling youThat we should bring back Garret Mock? Why not he at least can throw over 90? Why not give him another shot.Meanwhile, let's at least bring up a soft-tosser that has control and is effective, say like Tom Milone?

No metro today. Don't know why there is double post when I use iPbone (from gym on treadmill). –NatLadyNo metro today. Don't know why there is double post when I use iPbone (from gym on treadmill). –NatsLady

Sonny, he could be breaking in a new mitt–sorta looked like that yesterday–but I think it would be really unusual to do so in a game situation. Catchers get hurt all the time, little dings and dents that they just play with, but catching a bunch of guys who throw 90-100 all day will do a number on your thumbs. In the alternative, we know Pudge was working with him on taking one-hop throws in plays at the plate–maybe whatever mechanical flaw was showing up there, came out. Or maybe the guy just kicked the ball out of his glove. It happens.

Gee, C-M Wang's numbers after two games in SYR still smell better than Gorzelanny's overall (at least Wang doesn't give up the long ball). Look, the Nationals are in a 'use him or lose him' situation with Wang; I say bring him up & see if he has anything positive to offer – If Gorzelanny has to shift to the b'pen for a couple of weeks as a result, will anybody really miss him?

BinM, as usual, is right–they have no choice but to bring him in. After two years of rehabbing, it's now or never, and they're going to give him more than a game and a half to make good, after all they've done to get this far.

The Lerners need to win us back. A first step would be bringing in Carlos Beltran for cash and future considerations. Alderson and the Mets need cash more than they need prospects after Bernie Madoff's investment counseling. Give Beltran Werth money to stay. Then, immediately charge Matt Stair's batting average for each beer, limit 30 per customer. We also need the Giant Baseball that the architect intended to be put on its pedestal at NatsPark. If not a baseball, then an enormous laughing baby, so people know it's ok to laugh and have a good time at NatsPark. Any other suggestions are welcome.

Any other suggestions are welcome. LOL Flynnie! They could have a giant animatronic dancing rally baby! How creepy would that be??How about signing all those guys on the beard-dye commercials? They seem to attract a lot of positive attention after their makeovers.

The Nats don't have to bring Wang up. He can go DL again (Shoulder discomfort / inflammation). There is actually no point in bringing him up, unless someone wants to embarrass Wang, screw up our bullpen, and post a couple quick L's. If he can't pitch effectively in Syracuse, there's no reason at all to think maybe he wil be OK against National league lineups.Bringing him up would be just making a not so good situation even worse.

I think it'll be Wang taking Gorzy's spot, and Gorzy being the one with "discomfort/inflammation" or a "sore ankle". It doesn't do the Nats any good to shelve Wang for another 15 days and then wait again to see what he has. It's not like we're going to win the pennant this year anyway. I say get him up and see what he has. If he doesn't have anything, then at least we know.If Gorzy hits the 15 day, then Detwiler can take Marquis' spot if he gets traded before Gorzy is able to come off the DL.Just my 2 cents.

They're not going to go past this season with CMW if he isn't worth keeping next year. It's been nearly two years. At some point, they have to find out, up here, if he can still pitch. Might as well be now.

One can only hope that they have a sense of humor about it. A slump stinks, and the only way to get out of it is to forget it. I'm glad Jayson has been on the road the past week and is climbing out of his hole. Getting booed at home doesn't help you forget.By the way, I did not see that coming from Billingsley after putting the first 4 on.

Maybe a big desert island to represent all of the stranded runners. I saw something that looked like a big possum with a hairy tail crossing MacArthur Blvd. the other night. Someone told me it was a fisher – a big, porcupine-eating weasel without the weasel's furious temperment. Maybe it was Elwood.

I agree there is no reason for Wang to develop the mysterious injury to prolong his minor league "career". We need to see where he is right now so a decision that can be made. Now, that could be brutal because it won't be just one game but I guess it has to be done.As great as we started, those last 3 strikeouts were just not pretty. Needed Werth or Ankiel to at least hit the ball in the air and Flores was just overmatched. Marquis already in a jam as well, and now we are throwing the ball all over the park just like last year! Arrrgh!!

Am at Duffy's. Waiter warned me about the hot sauce. I ordered it because already need to cry. –NatsLadyAm at Duffy's. Waiter warned me about the hot sauce. I ordered it because already need to cry. –NatsLady

DaveAtl – not sure I make that trade straight up but it is intriguing. I guess we will not bring up the other catcher in AAA but Flores sure looks like he is not major league ready. They stole on him in his last game and that play at the plate has to be made.

WOW!!! Jesus Flores steps up and swings like an 9 year old girl. For an encore he fields the play at the plate like an 8 year old boy. Too many minor league players on this team. Game lost in first inning.

I'd do the trade of Rasmus for Clippard. I love Clippard and would hate to see him go. However, I believe his performance is highlighted in our minds because the rest of the bullpen is so inconsistent. It's clear we need to bring in some more relief talent through free agency or this minors.However, the chance to swap a 8th inning guy for a young centerfielder cannot be passed up. Rasmus has great potential. Relievers (with few exceptions like Rivera, Hoffman, etc.) are normally short term phenomenons. Hitters usually can adapt and figure them out. For example, look at how far Ryan Franklin, formerly of the Cardinals, has fallen. I say if there is a deal out there (and I have no idea if there is), the Nats should pull the trigger.

phil dunn said… Rizzo needs to find out why this team plays such terrible baseball on the road. Are they catting around during the wee hours of the morning? July 24, 2011 4:57 PM______________________________Of course they are and all the young teams do.

sunderland said… Curious about the scoring. Kemp comes home, the throw beats him, the catcher doesn't handle the throw, runner safe. How is this not scored an error? How is this scored an earned run? July 24, 2011 4:59 PM ____________________________Ball bounced. Not an error. Just a tough earned run to swallow.

Just joining.Am I reading this correctly? Did we have the bases loaded with nobody out and didn't score any additional runs?The run probability in that situation is somewhere between 2.25 and 2.41. And we got nothing?

Why not trade Clippard? We have HennyPennyRod. "The sky is falling! I'm not kidding! Dive! Dive!" They can blow that submarine dive horn they've started playing after each win at Nats Park. With that kind of wild heat headed your way, the horn makes sense.

Eugene in Oregon said… Just joining.Am I reading this correctly? Did we have the bases loaded with nobody out and didn't score any additional runs?The run probability in that situation is somewhere between 2.25 and 2.41. And we got nothing? July 24, 2011 5:02 PM _____________________________Bernadina goes from 0-2 to walk. Espinosa goes from 0-2 to get HBP. Hard single to LF by Zim to load the bases followed by a hard single to LF by Morse to score one.Werth strikes out. Ankiel strikes out on 3 pitches. Flores looks lost on breaking pitches and strikes out. Opportunity squandered.

I loved Sunny Bob's call of the fatal missed double play – "They'll have to hurry!" I don't think he gets enough credit for how much he knows and the drama he brings to important plays. We're lucky to have him.

Marquis is doing his best not to get traded.I would honestly would be shocked if we even got an A-ball prospect for any of our (tradeable) starters besides Lannan. They are all average/below average. It's a credit that the team is close to .500 this late in the season.

Flynnie:I think he still makes too many mistakes if you can get an establish player for him and there is no reason to believe that he will be good offensively again(remember Milledge 1sy year numbers), I would do it.

Exposremains said… Scully has been real tough on Nats and they truly deserve it. Very refreshing to hear someone tell it like it is with class. July 24, 2011 5:20 PM _____________________________His own team sucks so he is channeling his frustration on an opponent that is playing like the Bad News Bears again.

Remember- this team complained about the previous staff because they made them do fielding drills, unlike other pro teams. Then were brazen enough to get in their face, in private, when they did not perform to standards.Now they again have a player friendly staff, like Manny was, and we are back to below average performances. Glad the players are happy!! If Davey does not return will Rizzo go after a manager that demands a major league performance. Possibly a mantra again, that practice make perfect, or will we let the players run the show.

I went to Duffy's about 4 & couldn't find a seat… went to maddy's on Ct Ave … plenty of seats… BUT, only soccer on tv.. asked the bartender to put on the game.. he blew me off. I'm home with cheap beer and and unobstructed view.

That may well have been Marquis's last pitch as a Nat. Another serviceable start. From what I understand for the first inning, those 3 earned runs weren't all his fault. I would say he added to his trade value today — or at least didn't subtract from it.

flynnie said… Happy b'day Beantown! Lots of good Laotian food in Lowell! Just like Clint Eastwood enjoyed in Grand Torino. (Are those more of those dumping things?) July 24, 2011 6:09 PM DUMPLINGS – left out an L, and with it marred a sincere happy birthday wish.

When we win this game, one blessing is that we won't have to listen to that submarine dive, dive, dive horn at NatsPark. Poor Charlie can't say "Bang, Zoom go the fireworks!" because there's no fireworks. He's had to truncate it to "Bang, Zoom!" And with that horn blasting away, I'm glad he doesn't say, "ahOOga ahOOga goes the Model T!" or "Dive, Dive goes the submarine!"

Flynnie – just got back to the computer – where in nationals park can you get a $7 beer?Top of the 9th and our 3-4-5 are coming up. If we are going to do this, here is our best shot.Agree with others that all 3 runs should not have been earned. We really are sloppy since Davey took over. Can't blame it all on him but you have to wonder.In my mind, Flores needs more AAA time.

Wow, how disappointing! I hate, losing but maybe this assures that this is Davey's only year as our manager. I can't put my finger on it but the whole thing with Riggs just didn't feel right. Not saying whose fault it was and its probably not worth debating again but I just don't like what I see since Riggs left. Not in this game but in many others, I just don't like how he uses his bullpen, I am not crazy about how our fielding seems to have gone south and there is just something missing.Its just so disappointing to get so excited about what looked to be a break through season and now we are right back where we have been since 2006.We give teams 4 outs in an inning and when we pitch well, we don't hit and when we hit well, we don't pitch. One of these years we will turn this thing around but this does not look to be that year.

@sjm308,Or it could just be the 2nd half. This is typically when this team and franchise begin to really fold the tent dropping way below .500. Players can't maintain the kind of laser beam focus they had at the beginning of the year. The big drop-off. There is nothing that says this wouldn't have happened to Riggelman because let's face it, it already HAS happened with him in charge. This is the real challenge for Johnson. Convincing his players to put their best game in day-in and day-out for the rest of the season. Finding a way to motivate them. One way to do that is with trades which bring in players with "new" energy. Its what Werth was supposed to provide along with the veteran bench. It AIN'T happening. So, at this point, given the lethargy (I watched Aubrey almost WALK from third to home on a double and get thrown out. CUT that guy tomorrow!) they should be making trades. As quickly as possible.

Anon: – good point – I had not thought about what a long long season baseball presents and how its just as much mental as it is physical.Wouldn't it be great to be in an actual race for the wild card or pennant?Just heard that Flores is ZERO for whatever in throwing out runners. Not one caught stealing. At least Ramos will be doing the majority of the catching in our next home stand. Would not mind seeing what Solano can do up here and letting Flores continue to develop in Syr.

I think you were right the first time sjm308. We just lost 2 series againist lousy teams. We have to beat them before we can be anything other than a lousy team ourselves. We have lost the play to win attitude. Like seasons before, we are back trying not to lose. But wait, we have Stairs, and Werth here to change that losing culture and get us through the entire season as competitors. It looks like a tough 2nd half if this was the easy part of our schedule, given our division.

Blech – that game was drivel. It seems like we play one decent game per series. Some serious problems out there – once again Johnson just lets the game play him – he is a deer in headlights in the dugout and you can't tell me that Pat Corrales is good for anything in that dugout. We are not only missing Riggleman's "Dad" demeanor – we are missing McClaren in the dugout something fierce. He was always motivating and communicating in the dugout. Flores does not look good and seems to frustrate the pitchers. Johnson needs to stop riding on his reputation, take the reins and actually lead during the games instead of sitting there wondering what the heck is going on.

This team (and I use that term very loosely) needs something, anything that will put their collective azzes in gear!It's just soooo frustrating to give the fans hope in the first inning (bases loaded-no outs)and then just squash our hopes (maybe we are all dreaming or fantasizing) like a bug under a jackboot.My daughter and I will be behind homeplate for my birthday on thursday for the last marlins game. After listening to Charlie and Dave and doing a little creative yelling, my wonderful wife says, "If you are this frustrated and angry about this team, why have you spent $700 to see them?" I said, the air conditioning in the president's club restaurant? Ummm…seeing how eckstein tutors and mentors the players in the inside batting cage? Now that's a real fantasy!They better damn well win for my birthday!

Been reading the posts from today – this team appears to be flat – I really miss that spark that they had for a while where they battled and believed. I know it's a long season, but I think all of the coaching changes ( not just the manager) have had an effect. I think they miss Pudge too, who does have a winning, professional attitude and is always pumping people up. I hope they are ready for the homestand because things are not going to get any easier. In fact, they are going to get downright tough. I can stomach losing when they are playing good ball and fighting – good ab's in the first but they went away. Bad baseball is just tough to watch, win or lose.

I think what said it all was Matt Kemp coming around from first to score on a single, Aaron Mles taking second on the throw, and both the throws to home and the subsequent throw to second getting mishandled.Before DJ, the Nats rarely beat themselves. They didn't hit much, they lost their share of games, but they played the game well.

sunderland – I think you are right. Things are "loose" and need to be tightened up again. I hate to see them lose the disciplined level of defense that they were playing. Supposedly Rizzo wanted to build a team of defense and pitching and although the offense was dreadful, the pitching and defense were sparkling. Now we have a manager who not only doesn't really value that type of team, he doesn't know how to handle them either. Offense is his thing and he hasn't managed a team in this century – post-steroids. He needs to adjust. Bullpen management is pretty bad, too.Hope we don't go any extra innings this week or we will be in trouble since he seems to think they are all made of glass and can't pitch a couple of days in a row.

Would not mind seeing what Solano can do up here and letting Flores continue to develop in Syr.Flores belongs in the GCL until he gets completely up to speed. Or on the waiver wire. Not in Syracuse. He was definitely hurting that team as well! Both with his complete lack of offense and his very weak defense. That definitely had something to do with Syracuse's poor record in the first half.

Kornheiser interviewing Nolan Ryan in 1980 from the first Inside Sports magazine. This is Ryan talking:"Jim Palmer says he wouldn't throw a 3-2 curveball if he could throw 98; he wouldn't throw it down the middle if he could throw 98 — and anyway, he wouldn't know what it's like because he can't throw 98. He never stood on that mound with a bad team and no runs and knew if he threw one bad pitch he'd be beat. He was never in that position. Jim Palmer's always pitched for the best infield in baseball, and his team scored runs.""I've been told all my career that I shouldn't worry about hitting the corners. That's not right. You can get away with going down the middle the first time down the lineup and maybe strike out five or six guys, but the second time they get a piece of you, and by the third time they've got you timed and you're out of there"http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/6761350/bringing-all-back-home

There are no leaders on this team. Werth? Lol. That diva only cares about himself. Zimmerman is to quiet and the veterans other than Pudge dont have respect in the clubhouse. Period. It will be interesting when Harper gets to the majors how the clash of egos between Werth and Harper plays out.

Zimmerman is not a team leader and never was one. He's not a gold glove third baseman anymore nor is he a silver slugger anymore. Maybe the latter two will come back but he is too lifeless to ever be a team leader.

Hope we don't go any extra innings this week or we will be in trouble since he seems to think they are all made of glass and can't pitch a couple of days in a row.Last year the bullpen's arms got burned out and burned down. Which is why there was such an emphasis on better fielding and starters who could get through 6 this year. Believe me Clippard has been waaaay over used by Riggleman. Storen not so much. They do need those other relievers to step up and today at least they did. That's the good news from today's game.But .167 weak defensive catching Flores has to go on Monday. Absolutely MUST. He is not a major league catcher at this point. At least Stairs is safe on the bench … but Flores spot is too vital to use the majors for "development" Mike Rizzo? Remember, the majors is a performance league? So, why are you foisting half crippled players like Flores and Wang on us? And Wang is starting on Friday. If Flores catches for Wang it'll be a disaster and it will make Brue look right and bring Poopy McPoop back from where he's hiding.

3-6 road trip including 2-4 against two of the worst teams in ALL of baseball not just the National league. Nats are now 9-14 since DJ took over…….. and Boswell says that Rizzo "upgraded" the managers position.

By the time Harper gets to the majors, hopefully the Nats will have bought out the remainder of Werth's contract and he will go down as the worst free agent signings ever. Rizzo will be gone too because the Lerners are not fond of pouring $126 million down a rat hole.

oh, no – not poopy mcpoop! I think the lack of hustle and fire is having an effect on Espi. If you have ever heard him talk – he is totally competitive and passionate. But – he is a rookie and a rookie, who switch hits and plays middle infield has a lot to think about in his first full year. What is the message to him that the "veterans" are not stepping up?

SonnyG10 – I think you are correct about Flores. I also think the Ryan Zimmerman will not be himself until next season. He is showing flashes of hitting, but his body has not fully recovered. He is fielding and throwing at a percentage of what he did before. Right now, he is our Ryan Zimmerman who has a solid history with the nats – I will take what he has to give right now over any other player. However, I don't think he should have been brought back from major surgery in such a sensitive and difficult to heal area and put in the game day after day after day. I appreciate him wanting to get back quickly, but I think he is struggling physically and won't be 100 percent until next season. I hope he makes it through the rest of this season. Jerry Hairston did a fine job at third and maybe Ryan needs more breaks.

Yes, I am not sure what would be best for RZimm. At first, I had the same thought: give him more breaks, since Hairston is back and serviceable at 3B. But the question is, does Zimm need playing time to get back his fielding chops, or rest?Luckily, I'm not in charge.

anon 8:39 – you may be onto something. Sometimes if you are going to play badly and lose games, you might as well shake things up and see what some other people can do. Or,at the very least, get them some big league experience. Right now there is no accountability. No one gets benched or sent down except people like Bixler and Balester, who do everything they are asked – they are sent down to keep spaces for people who don't produce. Swami – talk about messages….

I am so sick of all of the comments about Riggs. If the Nats had fired Riggs and replaced him with Johnson, then these comparisons would be relevant. But that's not what happened. Riggs quit. Like a whiny baby. The Nats were forced to scramble for a replacement. We all wish that the results under the replacement were better than they have been to this point. But really, what does Riggs have to do with it?

Following the post- game chatter. Some of it may be wrong, some of it may be right, some of it maybe totally out there. But– it's nice as a fan to have a place to vent the frustrations. I love the game and this is my team – I guess this mutual misery is better than getting drunk in a bar somewhere. My friends just do not understand how I can get so worked up over a game. Well — I post here because you all get it.

Natslady – understand your comment about Ankiel, he has hit better since the dl and has a good arm in centerfield. Not sure he actually fields all that well there, though. He seems to be reverting now to his pre-dl form where he just swings for the fences at every pitch. My jury is still out on him.

Yeah that the problem Ryan Zimmerman…LOLHow about Flores is not a major League CatcherWerth can even make contact in the clutchDesmond is not more than an average ballplayerDavey Johnson is not up to speed on his quality or lack of quality.Back to being losers AGAIN!

Happy birthday Beantown!I wish they would do the basic drills that (it sounds like) they hated doing, but which was reducing errors and winning games.But, like several of you have said, I'm just glad to have them. Hoping for a productive day off before we get them home Tuesday.